Jeff Gordon's title hopes crippled by Talladega crash
By SceneDaily Staff
Sunday, October 05, 2008
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Todd Warshaw / Getty Images for NASCAR
Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon (24) crashes after contact with Wood Brothers Racing's Jon Wood (21) in Sunday's Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
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TALLADEGA, Ala. – Jeff Gordon’s hopes for a fifth NASCAR Cup Series title took a blow in Sunday’s Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Gordon, who came to Talladega sixth in the standings, left in eighth – 232 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson – after a crash and later a blown engine left the Hendrick Motorsports driver with a 38th-place finish.
Gordon’s trouble started on lap 54 when Michael Waltrip Racing’s David Reutimann blew a tire and spun on the backstretch. As Gordon moved high to avoid the spinning Reutimann, he tagged Wood Brothers Racing’s Jon Wood, contact that sent Gordon hard into the outside wall. After an extended stay in the garage for repairs, Gordon returned to the track but retired for good with a blown motor on lap 138.
“We were trying to get together with our teammates and it just wasn’t working out,” Gordon said. “I was all the way in the back and the No. 44 [Reutimann] it looked like to me like he just cut a tire. He just turned left out of nowhere. I tried to avoid him and when I did, the car turned to the right and just lost control and went into the wall.
“ ... We had a great car and we had great pit stops and everything was going the way we wanted it to go. Unfortunately, we got shuffled back, there. But that’s part of Talladega.”
Prior to the accident, Gordon had been strong much like he traditionally is at the 2.66-mile oval. Starting 26th, it took the California native just 36 laps to take the lead, a position he kept for three laps.
“We were getting hung out pretty good on those restarts, but once we would get back into the thick of things, we could just drive our way back up to the front,” Gordon said. “[There was] a lot of beating and banging going on, but we were having fun. It was great to get up there and be competitive and be up front.
“You have got to have a race car with fenders on it at the end of the day if you want to be a competitive car and win this race.”
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Jeff Gordon
Comments
6 responses to "Jeff Gordon's title hopes crippled by Talladega crash"
Patty L. Wilson said:
Oct 5, 2008 at 6:40 PMJeff had a ruff day today but their is still alot of racing left. He is the best and he will come out ahead. Keep on going Jeff.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Oct 5, 2008 at 11:11 PMcome on patty wake up and smell the coffee because i think you have been smeling the fumes your exauste there is no way jeffy boy has a chance he is all washed up.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrae said:
Oct 6, 2008 at 12:45 PMWhen someone writes a comment like "2" there is something definitely wrong with that person. 1st... why didn't that "person" leave his/her name? Hmmm 2nd... when a "person" refers to Jeff Gordon as "jeffy boy" it shows his/her immaturity... or maybe a bit of jealousy? Grow up!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim the Fan said:
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:05 PMBest Jeff's fans can hope for now is a win to break the drought. No realistic way he can win his fifth Championship this year. But his interviews show the desire is still there and he'll be back next year to try again.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKen Harris said:
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:56 PMWith the way Jimmie is running, it may not be possible for Jeff to be #1, but he'll get a win or two yet this year and be lots higher in the points. Jeff was great on Wind Tunnel...just a super guy and a legend. He doesn't have anything left to prove, but his passion is still there and I'll be cheering him on to "Drive for Five", whenever it comes.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAmanda Hiatt said:
Oct 6, 2008 at 10:18 PMI think Jeff has had a run of bad luck this year. I still think he is a good driver, but some seasons can really stink for a driver, no matter who they are. Jeff is just one of this year's victims. I'm a Dale Jr. and David Ragan fan, and though some wouldn't expect it, I really do feel bad for Jeff.
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